The first steamy blip for 2022

Felt a little disloyal today travelling on the Spa Valley Railway from Tunbridge Wells to Eridge and back. We are members, we joined in 2020 to help support a Kent heritage railway, this was the first opportunity to have a ride.

The loco is Douglas, 2890 from the East Lancashire Railway. Named adopted from the Thomas the Tank Engine stories: https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2020/02/steam-locomotive-2890-douglas-to-visit-spa-valley-railway.html.

Spa Valley is a smaller operation than the KESR. It has no runaround facilities that I could see so the train was topped and tailed by Douglas and a Class 33 diesel. The Society used to be called the Tunbridge Wells and Eridge Railway Preservation Society. Look at the capital letters.

For the last mile or so into Eridge the line runs along National Railway main line, giving the interesting combination of old and modern passing at the station - see extra

An enjoyable ride, passing through some lovely countryside with roe deer to be seen from the train. Stations well kept and in keeping with Southern Region. Signalling appeared rather basic with just the one box at Groombridge controlling operations.

It was good to visit and ride and we’ll be back again. The KESR need not worry, I’m not transferring my affections to the Spa!